Hawkeye: They're Watching You

As Kate Bishop finds a new career, we review her PI peers!

Kate Bishop loves being a super hero but knows that it cannot pay the bills. Thus, with HAWKEYE #2 on January 4, she finds herself a nice side job to line her pockets: private investigator.

In a world where good guys and bad guys battle for the fate of the universe, on the regular, Bishop recognizes that the average every day person still has problems that need solving; problems that a PI might be uniquely suited to improving.

The fact that other super powered types have reached that conclusion before her can be good news for Kate. For when times get a little rough, or when she has a question about what billing software to use to stay on top of her accounts, we put together a list of other heroes turned private dicks that she can give a jingle.

Jessica JonesWhile she may have cut her teeth in the super hero game—first as Jewel, then as Knightress—Jones has always had the type of temperament a little more at home with the rough and tumble life of a PI. Alternating between run of the mill “catch my wife cheating” to the high tension “find out Captain America’s real identity” cases, Jones showed that despite self-hatred, alcohol dependence, and a general inclination away from customer service, she had private investigating in the blood.

Years later, Jones may be in a far better more stable personal place, but she has not lost her edge. Her most recent case proves that even without booze and outward turned rage, she remains one of the better frosted glass doors of the Marvel U to knock on with your problems.

ScorpionBelieve it or not, MacDonald “Mac” Gargan did not always hate Spider-Man and J. Jonah Jameson and make his bones in a bright green costume complete with tail weapon. For a time, Gargan walked the rainy streets of Manhattan charging 200 a day plus expenses.

He had a decent career going too, until he agreed to be the guinea pig in an experiment paid for by Jameson. It turns out an acute sense of amorality can serve you well when you make your money invading other people’s privacy for anyone who will pay you.

Spider-WomanWhile she mostly spends her time as the more active extension of Ben Urich’s investigative reporting these days and the previous years have been marked by space travel and avenging, Jessica Drew spent several years being one of the most popular PI’s in the San Francisco phone book.

Motivated by her sense of justice—not a desire for monetary reward—Drew stepped in for those most in need who might not have convinced the average private investigator to take their case. Jessica proved so dedicated to her work that even after she lost her powers for a time, she kept the agency open and taking cases until life took her east once more.

X-Factor InvestigationsFounded and headed up by Multiple Man in part to help him find his way in life, the agency boasted the likes of Wolfsbane, Siryn, Rictor, Monet, and Strong Man as operatives.

Although they took up in “Mutant Town” as their base of operations, X-Factor quickly became an international investigating force, gallivanting around the world—and eventually, through time and other dimensions—to deliver their customers the very best work they could.

Knightwing Restorations LTDAfter years in the NYPD, Misty Knight lost her arm and began to experience intense depression. On top of that, she felt constrained by the job and its rules, unable to truly help those that needed it most. So, with best friend Colleen Wing’s encouragement, she quit the force and joined her pal to create Knightwing. For Wing, who had previously had her life saved by Knight when she ended up in the crossfire of a gun battle, it felt like nothing more than returning the favor.

The duo, most often known as the Daughters of the Dragon—a nickname awarded in derision but now worn like a badge—quickly gained a reputation for taking on risky and dangerous cases that set them against some truly over powering foes. Eventually, the pair transitioned to more of a bails bond focus, but both retain their highly honed undeniable talents.

Dakota NorthDespite an “only the pretty survive” reputation, the fashion industry actually requires remarkable strategical thinking to prosper over the long haul. In the Marvel U, the best example of this comes from Dakota North, the model turned private investigator who made the switch without missing a beat.

The daughter of an intelligence officer, North grew up around the ideas that helped mold her into a highly successful PI. Applying her honed business acumen to it proved just the next step and, rapidly, she grew her agency to an international one with offices in Tokyo, Paris, and Rome. After a brief time staying in New York in Nelson & Murdock’s personal employ, it appears she is back out on her own, traversing the globe, and maintaining her business.

Investigate HAWKEYE #2 by Kelly Thompson and Leonardo Romero on January 4!

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Who Can Solve The Mystery Behind Original Sin?

Published Apr 8, 2014
By Brett White

Marvel Universe Private Eyes

Which of these Marvel Universe super sleuths can uncover the truth behind the Watcher's murder?

There’s a metaphorical Uatu-shaped chalk outline on the streets of Marvel’s Manhattan now that the Watcher has met a mysterious and violent end. That crime acts as the jumping off point for ORIGINAL SIN, a Marvel Comics event that will shed light on previously dark corners of continuity, thus forever altering the course of the heroes involved. Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato will launch the investigation into the Watcher’s murder in May’s ORIGINAL SIN #1. With such a big crime to solve, they might need a little help from some of the Marvel U’s sharpest private investigators.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #20

Readers might have forgotten that ol’ Mac Gargan – better known as the Scorpion or one of the more recent hosts of the Venom symbiote – started out as a private eye way back in his first appearance. J. Jonah Jameson hired Gargan to spy on Peter Parker in order to find out how the awkward teen consistently captured dynamite photos of Spider-Man. The gig’s intensity escalated quickly, and Jameson had Gargan outfitted with a scorpion-like battle suit. From that point on, Mac forever turned his back on his P.I. career in favor of villainy. Good luck getting this guy to solve the Watcher’s murder. His detecting game’s a little rusty.

Daughters of the Dragon (2006) #1

Best friends Misty Knight and Colleen Wing, the Daughters of the Dragon, worked so well together that they started their own private investigations business: Nightwing Restorations, Ltd. Together, the duo kept the streets as clean as they could, oftentimes teaming up with fellow super-powered duo Luke Cage and Iron Fist. With Misty’s history as a police officer and Colleen’s expert sword swinging know how, these two proved to be some of the most formidable crime fighters in Manhattan. Unfortunately, the Watcher’s home base on the moon falls a little ways outside of their jurisdiction.

Ex-super hero Jessica Jones enjoyed a second career as a private investigator operating in Manhattan’s shadows. From her non-descript office, Jones took got herself mixed up in a number of high profile cases involving Captain America, Spider-Man, and her allies in the Avengers. Since leaving her private eye career behind, Jessica’s become a proud wife, mother, and super hero. She currently has her hands busy with both her daughter and husband Luke Cage’s new Mighty Avengers endeavor.

Madrox (2004) #5

Operating out of Manhattan’s Mutant Town neighborhood, Jamie Madrox and his team at X-Factor Investigations offered help to those in need – mutant or human. With powerhouses like M and Strong Guy and ferocious fighters like Longshot and Shatterstar on the payroll, Multiple Man’s team could most likely put whichever cosmic force took out the Watcher under citizen’s arrest. Unfortunately, Madrox’s team recently went their separate ways, leaving an all-new, corporate-sponsored X-Factor in their wake.

Daredevil (1998) #108

Dakota North might just be the most successful private eye around. She has offices all over the globe and works for high-paying clients like fashion designers, models, and best-selling authors. She even mixes it up with super heroes on the regular; Daredevil hired her to be both an investigator and bodyguard for his best friend Foggy Nelson. If the super heroes want Uatu’s killer caught, they should follow their compasses to North.

Who will solve the mystery behind the Watcher’s murder? Find out this May in ORIGINAL SIN #1!